Baader, Benedict Franz (1765-1841)

German theologian and philosopher. His writings, though mystical and often obscure, led some to consider him the greatest Catholic thinker of modern times. He opposed the claims of ecclesiastic authority in the field of speculation, which led to a papal decree 1838 preventing lay persons from lecturing on the philosophy of religion.

Baader was born in Munich. He studied medicine at Ingolstadt and Vienna and spent some years in England (1791-96), where his attention first turned to philosophy. In 1826 he was appointed professor of philosophy and theology at Munich. His works were published in 16 volumes at Leipzig 1851-60.